Squat back together after four-year break

Arts and Entertainment Reporter

Turns out, if you want one of your favorite bands to reunite, all you have to do is ask.

At least that’s what is pulling a beloved Athens jazz band out of retirement. After four years of quiet, Squat returns for two shows, one last week in Atlanta and another this weekend at Hendershot’s.

“Basically, we started getting calls begging us to come out of retirement,” said guitarist Trey Wright. Atlanta’s Red Light Cafe was one voice calling for a return, Wright said, and, of course, the band just couldn’t play Atlanta and skip the old home base.

“We all were into it. Then it didn’t make sense to not do in Athens,” Wright said.

Although the band has been quiet for the last four years, not releasing any music since 2007’s self-titled album, the group — Wright, Tommy Somerville, Carl Lindberg, Dwayne Holloway — have kept in touch, Wright said. “We’ve all contributed on gigs together.”

At the Hendershot’s gig, two drummers will take the stage, not just longtime collaborator Holloway. Original Squat drummer Carlton Owens, whom Wright said he hasn’t played a gig with in more than a decade, returns to help out.

All the original players have gone on to forge their own personal identities as musicians, and Wright said it’s cool for him to show newer friends a life-defining musical role.

“Squat is the reason I’m a musician,” he said. “It’s crazy. It’s amazing to me that I’ve known these guys as long as I have.”

Wright set the set list likely will be all over the place. During a recent practice, they all seemed to gravitate toward the 2007 album for selections, but other albums are up for grabs, too.

As for the future — a 20-year anniversary is only months away — Wright just can’t say.

“I have no idea,” he said. “Honestly, that’s what’s fun about it. None of us have any idea.”